Top weight Tidal Bay could feature in Scottish Grand National

A win in the Scottish Grand National would see Tidal Bay become the oldest ever winner of the Ayr race

Paul Nicholls will make a decision later this week on whether to let Tidal Bay turn out quickly for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

The popular 13-year-old only made it as far as the eighth fence in the Crabbie's Grand National at the weekend, unseating Sam Twiston-Davies after being badly hampered by the fall of Golan Way at the Canal Turn.

Tidal Bay galloped on riderless for the rest of the first circuit, virtually taking out the front-running Across The Bay after the water jump, before being caught by handlers.

The 13-year-old heads the weights for the Ayr feature, and Nicholls is considering letting him take his chance.

He said: "He cantered as normal this morning and we'll make a decision later in the week about whether to let him run at Ayr.

"The options are this or the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (26 April).

"It would be nice to get a steer on Sandown as I would probably run him there if the ground was good, but I'm a bit worried about it getting too quick.

"They caught him going past the stands (on Saturday), so he didn't do a lot."

Nicholls confirmed Sam Winner, second in the weights behind Tidal Bay, an intended runner in the big race.

The Nicholls-trained pair head 59 confirmations, with the Ditcheat maestro also responsible for Poungach further down the list.

Harry Fry's Mendip Express and the Scottish-trained Green Flag, under the tutelage of Lucinda Russell, are both prominent in ante-post lists.

Last year's winner Godsmejudge could return to defend his crown, but has been pulled up on his last two starts.

Other leading contenders include Philip Hobbs' Roalco De Farges, Russell's Lie Forrit, David Pipe's Edmund Kean and Rigadin De Beauchene from Venetia Williams' yard.

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson has Hadrian's Approach and Roberto Goldback in the mix.